Design and Research Programs

Beyond the Classroom

Michigan Tech has a distinguished record of delivering high-quality undergraduate engineering education. Our courses are taught by many of the nation’s most talented and dedicated faculty. The educational experiences we provide extend far beyond the classroom as well. Our students also experience exciting educational opportunities in the field, in the lab, and around the globe. At Michigan Tech, these experiences are not the exception—they are the rule. All of our students participate in Senior Design, Enterprise, or Undergraduate Research programs.

Our Senior Design program connects students and industry through challenging projects that have an open-ended design solution. You’ll work with other students on a small team, and make the project your top priority throughout your senior year. A faculty advisor for each team provides the right balance of instruction and coaching, enabling you to learn by doing. Teams have access to state-of-the-art design and collaboration tools, as well as dedicated fabrication facilities, labs, and design studios.

Senior Design functions more like a “first job” than a “last class”—providing the kind of relevant design experience that can launch you into a rewarding, successful career.

In Michigan Tech’s highly successful Enterprise Program, you can choose from close to 30 enterprise teams across campus, or help create a new enterprise from the ground up. Teams are open to any major and operate much like companies in the private sector. Upper-level students serve as role models for first- and second-year students joining the program. Faculty members act as coaches and mentors. Industry sponsors advise and guide. After awhile you’ll no longer feel like a student—you’ll feel like a professional, and own your education.

Undergraduate Research—Discover Knowledge

Undergraduate research introduces you to the possibilities of a research path at Michigan Tech and beyond. Our goal is to nurture interest in engineering research and help students who are looking for a challenge gain awareness of the vast opportunities available to them right on campus. You can begin working with a faculty mentor on a research project as early as your freshman year. Research opportunities are wide-ranging.

Students in any engineering discipline are welcome to give research a try

Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF)

Awards of $1,400-$3,000 are available for the summer research projects. Fellowship recipients spend between seven and 14 weeks on an individual research project under the guidance of a Michigan Tech faculty mentor.

Research Scholars Program (RSP)

Gain an awareness of the extensive opportunities available through discussions with professors, presentations from researchers, and tours of the many research facilities at Michigan Tech. This program also offers a key benefit—guaranteed acceptance to the engineering graduate program at Michigan Tech if you achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in your undergraduate studies. For more information on the Research Scholars Program, visit http://www.engineering.mtu.edu/rsp, or check out the Research Scholars Program Brochure.

Showcase

The Design Expo is an annual showcase of Senior Design, Enterprise, and undergraduate research.